Spotlight

Treetops Resort's Smith Signature - 15th hole

No top 100 ranking? No problem at these great Michigan public golf courses

Michigan has so many good public golf courses that the big glossy golf mags just can't seem to decide which ones are most worthy of top-100 status. The roster of good public options is so deep there are plenty of other top-100-caliber courses -- even if they didn't land an invitation to the exclusive party this time.
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Coyote Golf Club - hole 18

Watch out for the woods at Coyote Golf Club in Lyon Township

Trouble lurks at the back of the property of Coyote Golf Club in New Hudson. A thick patch of forest hides the best stretch of golf -- holes 4-7. "We call it the Amen corner," said General Manager/Director of Golf Jason Raney. "Usually you can put together a good round if you get through there unscathed."
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The Jackal Golf Club at Mt. Brighton - fifth hole

Conquer the ski hill of The Jackal Golf Club at Mt. Brighton

The owners at Mt. Brighton were a little late to the party in transforming their ski hill into a golf course. Popular in Michigan, ski hills provide the elevated tee shots golfers love. The challenge always is how to mix slopes and fairways without screwing up either sport. Jerry Matthews, who has designed more golf courses in Michigan than anyone, successfully weaved the two together at The Jackal Golf Club, for the most part.
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Michigan Golf Destinations

  • Northeast Michigan

    While Michigan's northwest may be the more nationally known vacation region, the northeast part of the state boasts a collection of small towns and natural wonders worth exploring, too, including one of the Midwest's top golf destinations, Gaylord.

    Lakes Golf Course
    The Lakes Golf Course offers a unique layout that offers six links holes, six holes that wind through forests and across ski slopes, and six that play along Lake Michaywe. The course offers unrivaled scenery and memorable views.
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    Loon Golf Club
    Since opening in 1994, Loon Golf Club has become one of the most popular golf courses in the Gaylord area. The Loon Course features fast, undulating greens and narrow fairways surrounded by numerous strategically placed bunkers.
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    Wilderness Valley Course at Wilderness Valley
    Wilderness Valley Resort offers two 18-hole championship golf courses. The Wilderness Valley Course is a player friendly complement to the more challenging Black Forest Course. Together, there is something for players of any skill level at the resort. The Wilderness Valley Course has the same rolling terrain of its sister course but the bunkering is more understated and the greens are more forgiving.
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  • Northwest Michigan

    The most coveted vacation spot in Michigan is the northwest coast, where you'll find many of the state's highest-ranked resort golf courses as well as charming lakes and bayside towns. Much of the state's most spectacular coastline can be found in the northwest, making it an ideal summer haven for boaters and those seeking natural, freshwater beaches.

    Marsh Ridge Resort Course
    Marsh Ridge G.C. sprawls across rolling hills and acres of carefully preserved marshlands. The towering trees and dramatic elevation changes distinguish the golf course as one of the area's best and most scenic.
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    Michaywe Pines Golf Course
    Michaywe Pines is a scenic 18-hole golf course that winds through the birch and pine forests that sit along the AuSable River. The course opened in 1972 and 32 years later the original designer, Don Childs, came back to completely renovate the course. The classic layout kept its best features but the bunkers were reshaped and deeply shouldered with lush bluegrass sod and four sets of tee boxes were crafted for each hole.
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    Natural Golf Course
    The Natural Golf Club sits along the western shore of Otsego Lake. As its name implies, the course blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. The challenging layout requires accuracy so don't let the scenery distract you too much. Trees line the meandering fairways and water hazards come into play throughout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk along the greensides as well.
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  • Southwest Michigan

    Along Lake Michigan's coastline in the southwest corner of the state, a succession of small beach towns provide a quick escape from the city life of Detroit and Chicago. Value golf courses are a constant theme in Michigan, and the southwest corner is no exception.

    Quail Ridge Golf Club
    Quail Ridge Golf Club sprawls across 300 acres of rolling hills just east of Grand Rapids. The expansive course provides plenty of room on each hole. Raymond Hearn, a Michigan native, designed the unique layout, seamlessly combining links-style holes and tree-lined holes for variety.
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    Ravines Golf Club
    Ravines Golf Club is southwest Michigan's first Arnold Palmer signature course. The course is situated three hours outside of Detroit in Saugatuck. Thanks to wide fairways and generous landing areas, the layout is not as tough as it seems but it does have plenty of challenges in store.
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    Stonegate Golf Club
    Situated just a few minutes from Muskegon, Stonegate Golf Club in Stone Lake sprawls across gently rolling hills that are surrounded by the beauty of the Manistee National Forest. The undulating terrain provides dramatic elevation changes that can give you a different round every time you play.
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  • Southeast Michigan

    The majority of Michigan's population and golf courses are based in and around metro Detroit in the state's southeast corner. They love their sports in Detroit, and they especially enjoy golf in the Motor City. While there are plenty of exclusive clubs for the auto industry elite, a smattering of daily-fee courses make the game affordable and accessible for everyone.

    Golden Hawk Golf Club
    Golden Hawk Golf Club is an 18-hole course in Casco Township, which is just south of Richmond. You won't find too many elevation changes throughout the course but you will encounter plenty of water. There are also 36 bunkers coming into play on 12 holes.
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    Stony Creek GC
    Stony Creek Metropark Golf Course
    Stony Creek is part of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system and many locals consider it to be one of its gems. There aren't any residences near the golf course, giving it a secluded feel and providing unhindered views from the elevated tees.
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    Rouge Park Golf Course
    Rouge Park Golf Course is the city of Detroit's hidden gem. The course has been a local favorite since it first opened in 1923. Despite the expansion of Detroit's golf offerings in later years, Rouge Park G.C. is still considered one of the best and most challenging of them all.
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  • Upper Peninsula

    Wilderness is the big attraction in the Upper Peninsula. Hunting, fishing, hiking and boating are favorite pastimes of all "Yoopers." The summer golf season may be cruelly short, usually just June through September, but there are some real standout golf courses for those who make the trek.

    George Young Recreational Complex
    The 18-hole George Young Recreation in Gaastra, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1984. Designed by George Young, George Young Recreation measures 7041 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 130 and a 74.3 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
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